Injury Compensation: A Simple Guide

By: Jessica Parker | Posted: 28th September 2011

Injury compensation is a way to reclaim the losses you’ve suffered after an injury or accident because of another’s negligence. These could be financial, for example loss of earnings because you’ve taken time off work, or they could be physical, where your injury has resulted in considerable pain and suffering. Once you are informed about the process of claiming injury compensation you can make a decision as to whether you want to make a claim. This simple guide should help clear up any confusion over the legal aspects of what’s involved.

What do people claim injury compensation for?

Injury compensation is the term used to describe the financial payout awarded to a person who has suffered an accident that could have been prevented or avoided by another party. For example, a car accident victim who suffers whiplash could potentially make a claim against the person who caused the incident. A person who has been injured as a result of using a faulty product might be able to claim injury compensation from the manufacturers of that product, if they are found to be at fault. Someone who has been in a work accident because of poor health and safety standards might think about making a claim against their employer.

There are many examples of cases where people choose to make a claim against the party responsible for their injuries, and generally each case is different to the next. What they all have in common is that there is a requirement to prove that someone was at fault or negligent, and this is what makes it possible to claim injury compensation.

Why people claim injury compensation

Injury compensation is a route that some accident victims might take in order to reclaim some of the losses they have suffered. In some cases, where a person has sustained severe injuries, they may have been out of work for long periods and unable to earn a living as a result. It could be that expensive medical treatment is required, or even extra help to look after their family. In these cases, injury compensation not only means that they can get back on their feet financially, but they might also be able to pay for any treatment necessary to speed up their recovery, such as physiotherapy or nursing care.

Where the injuries have been psychological, compensation will not take away a person’s suffering but it may help to ease some of the stress they feel following an accident. Finally, claiming injury compensation can help prevent similar accidents in the future, as it might raise awareness about what causes such accidents to occur. For example, a claim for a car accident caused by a pothole in the road could result in those responsible repairing the road and improving safety for the drivers who use it.

How much claiming injury compensation might cost

Claiming compensation does not have to cost anything at all. After all, you may have already suffered enough financial losses because of your injuries. A no win no fee service is often possible whereby the solicitor that handles the claim simply doesn’t get paid unless the claimant is awarded compensation. Also, the recipient of the compensation will usually get to keep 100% of the payout awarded to them, and the legal fees are paid by the party responsible for their injuries.

Now that you know a little more about injury compensation you should be less confused about making a claim and what’s involved. Finding a reputable company to deal with your claim could be your next logical step.
This article is free for republishing
Printed From: http://www.goinglegal.com/injury-compensation-a-simple-guide-2360572.html

Back to the original article

Tags: confusion, losses, long periods, time off, negligence, health and safety standards, health and safety, injury compensation, medical treatment, poor health, accident victim, car accident, accident victims, whiplash, work accident, loss of earnings, legal aspects